Armed Forces Day, 28th June 2015
Ion Castro was there with his camera

Hastings’ beautiful Alexandra Park was the venue for this year’s Armed Forces Day, an impressive gathering with a multitude of associated activities. The event was hosted by a committee of volunteers from the Hastings and St. Leonards Veteran's Association under its chairman Richard Butcher and vice chairman Stuart Murphy. Rear Admiral Kingwell (pictured) attended, accompanied by Lieutenant Garth Deppe and a cadet  from TS Hastings piped them aboard the guest's enclosure where the Admiral was greeted by the President and Vice President of the Veteran's Association. VIP’s included Hastings MP Amber Rudd, Hastings’ Mayor Cllr Bruce Dowling and Deputy Mayor Judy Rogers. There was a ceremony to raise the Union Flag and the parade was inspected; a service of dedication, laying of wreaths and speeches. From midday there were displays of singing, dancing, acrobatics and gymnastics. The Hastings Military Vehicle Group provided a display of military vehicles and there was music performed by the 1066 Pipes and Drums Marching Band, performances by Sparks Dance Crew, Acromax Acrobatics and Gymnastics Team, Hastings Coastal Twirlers, Hastleons Amateur Dramatics and Operatics group and the Karate School. Perhaps the most unusual display was that of motorcycles and ‘trikes’ (strange and very individual 3 wheel motorcycle/car hybrids), presented by a group of Armed Forces Bikers (www.armedforcesbikers.co.uk).